Sermon Notes for Hong Kong Revival Meeting: August 5, 2009 || HOSPITALITY and OFFERING

Romans 12:13, 15-1613Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be

willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.

In the beginning we were sinners and deserve eternal damnation. But God was full of mercy and not only forgave us, but loved

us. Since our lives are God’s, what God tells us to do, we should do.

3 Questions to answer:

1. Is being hospitable and giving unconditionally something believers must to or is it something that would be nice to do?

2. If it’s important to be hospitable and to give unconditionally, why don’t all believers do it?

3. What is the final result when believers are faithful and chose to be hospitable and give generously?

The 3 Answers:

Answer 1:

- Earthly possessions are unreliable for they will one day perish. Therefore, place your eyes on heavenly possessions.

- 2 Corinthians 9:8-10

8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound

in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."[a] 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge

the harvest of your righteousness.

- God has given us many possessions and gifts.

- Ephesians 4:28 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may

have something to share with those in need.

- 1. We shall not steal (which most of us already don’t)

- 2. If we want something, we should do something to earn it (which we already know)

- 3. If we have something, we should share it. (Not have more than and then share, but once when we have something,

we should then share it)

- And that’s God’s heart and the purpose of a believer

- 1 Peter 4:7-9

7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other

deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

- Main point: At the end of time, love one another.

- Matthew 25: 34-35 34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom

prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you

gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

- Main Point: Why is hospitality among the things that God blesses us for doing?

Answer 2:

- Yes! It is necessary to be hospitable and to give. But why do many believers not do so?

- 1. They don’t know. People in authority (pastors/parents/etc) may not have emphasized enough on it.

- Malachi 3:10 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD

Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not

have room enough for it.

- God doesn’t like to be tested yet he tells us to test him. He lowers his standards so that we would tithe and that the

floodgates of heaven will pour out blessings on us. He doesn’t need our money because it’s all his, but he wants us to

give some back so we may be blessed.

- Side note: Malachi people were always taking God’s possessions

- 2. They fear

About offering

- When they offer and give, they’re afraid they will have no more (lost it, all gone)

- Example: fear of no more money to live on, fear of losing job and therefore having no more money, etc.

- They are fearing that God won’t provide.

About hospitality

- Fear of losing money, time, not knowing how to socialize, house is too small or house is so big and nice that people will

come and make a mess

- Possible solution: don’t invite too many… 2? Even 1…

REMEMBER, WHAT WE DO TO OTHERS, WE DO IT TO GOD. Not being hospitable and not giving may cause us to miss many

opportunities.

Answer 3

- 1. God will be glorified

- Matthew 5:16 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

- When we have something, we give thanks to God for it, but that’s not enough. We should share it with others so that

they may also give thanks to God. So that we may all give glory to God.

- 2. When we help others, our life shows that we live in God’s love.

- 1 John 3:17 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in

him?

- 3. Our treasure is in heaven

- Luke 12: 33-34 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven

that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your

heart will be also.

- Therefore, live a life to share, because God will be glorified and we will gain a feeling of fulfillment because that Is God’s plan

for us.

Question to ponder: AM I WILLING TO TAKE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN ME TO HELP OTHERS SO GOD CAN BE GLORIFIED?